Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Wednesday the constitution of an inquiry committee to investigate the recent mob attacks on Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan. This announcement came during a press conference following his visit to the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. The inquiry committee will delve into the factors and causes that led to the mob attacks, as well as the role of the Pakistani Mission at Bishkek in facilitating students.
The committee will collaborate with Kyrgyz authorities to review all findings and developments in Bishkek and submit its report within two weeks. This swift action demonstrates the Pakistani government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Dar visited the National Hospital in Bishkek to meet Shahzaib, a Pakistani textile worker injured during the recent mob violence. This gesture of support and solidarity underscores the government’s concern for its citizens affected by the incident.
The mob attacks on international students, including Pakistanis, occurred on May 18, with reports suggesting that online videos of a fight between Kyrgyz students and medical students from Egypt on May 13 sparked the violence. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the Ambassador of Pakistan in Kyrgyzstan, Hasan Ali Zaigham, to make necessary arrangements for a special plane to bring back Pakistani students from Kyrgyzstan.
The first flight carrying 180 Pakistanis, including 140 students, landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on May 19. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, along with senior officials, welcomed the returning students. The Interior Minister assured that transport facilities would be provided to students belonging to other cities.
The establishment of the inquiry committee is a crucial step towards understanding the circumstances surrounding the mob attacks and ensuring accountability. The Pakistani government’s prompt response and engagement with Kyrgyz authorities demonstrate its dedication to protecting the interests of its citizens abroad.
